If I had to choose between loving you and breathing. I would use my last breath to say I love you. (Source)

Before baby C came into our lives I used to hear about the overwhelming love parents felt for their child. They would say there was nothing else like it. Like many things before I used to think I understood this. How very wrong I was.

I believe love is complex, sometimes instant and other times it needs to grow. When baby C was presented to us after my emergency cesarean section, I fell in love at first sight. I thought she was quite simply, perfect. Pink and plump with ten long little fingers and ten little toes. Our new daughter was making beautiful wailing noises whilst she was taking her very first breaths of air. I was crying like a baby.

But then life threw us a curve ball as it likes to do. On our second night in the hospital I was experiencing a serious medical complication. And then over the next few days of uncertainty and treatments I felt like I’d lost that instant connection I’d had with my daughter. I became incredibly anxious and lost my confidence as a new mother.

Thankfully I had the full love and support of Mr T, my Hubby. To say he was amazing is an understatement. He was patient, caring and one thousand percent there for us (thanks Mr T!).

And this is where I believe love grows and blossoms. Often though the tough times. Slowly, everyday after the next my confidence grew in my new role, as did the overwhelming love and connection I had for my daughter.

The other day a friend of mine and I were texting about the trials and tribulations of motherhood. I’d just had a hard time getting baby C to sleep and I said to my friend, “as I was rocking her to sleep, the love just explodes your heart!”. And that is the only way I know how to describe the indescribable love I have for her.

So my project this week is a dedication to hang on her wall. I hope for a very, very long time. I want baby C to know just how much we love her, every single day.

As you can tell, my project this week isn’t complete. I have decided to give myself some breathing space over the Christmas period and take my time to make this really special.

I would love your opinions on what mediums you might use to complete this!

My inspiration came from a pin on my ‘Baby Love‘ board along with others I found on my ‘Typography‘ board. For the decoration border I was inspired by a beautiful book my Father gave me when I was a girl called ‘The Art of Illumination’ by Patricia Carter.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! I look forward to sharing the finished project with you all next week. So until then… happy painting!

How would you describe love?